Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies October 31, 2016 Fiscal Year 2016 Report to Congress Message from the Secretary October 31, 2016 I am pleased to present the following report, “Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies,” prepared by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This report was compiled pursuant to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) and the accompanying Senate Report 114-68. The report details the Department’s efforts and resources devoted to developing more advanced integrated passenger screening technologies for the most effective security of passengers and baggage at the lowest possible operating and acquisition costs; how TSA is deploying its existing screener workforce in the most cost-effective manner; the labor savings from the deployment of improved technologies for passenger and baggage screening; and how those savings are being used to offset security costs or are being reinvested to address security vulnerabilities. The report also includes projected funding levels for the next 5 fiscal years, or until project completion, for each technology discussed, and summarizes the FY 2016 adjustments made to begin a more fundamental transformation of aviation security. This transformation includes revising the staffing model, suitably rightsizing and resourcing operations to address passenger growth, and making necessary equipment investments to close vulnerabilities and improve system effectiveness. Pursuant to congressional requirements, this report is being provided to the following Members of Congress: The Honorable John R. Carter Chairman, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security The Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security The Honorable John Hoeven Chairman, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security The Honorable Jeanne Shaheen Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security i If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 282-8203 or the Department's Deputy Under Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, Chip Fulghum, at (202) 447-5751. Sincerely, ii Executive Summary The FY 2016 DHS Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) and the accompanying Senate Report 114-68 require TSA to submit a detailed report to address the following: • DHS's efforts and resources that are being devoted to developing more advanced integrated passenger screening technologies for the most effective security of passengers and baggage at the lowest possible operating and acquisition costs; • How TSA is deploying its existing passenger and baggage screener workforce in the most cost-effective manner; and • Labor savings from the deployment of improved technologies for passenger and baggage screening, and how those savings are being used to offset security costs or are being reinvested to address security vulnerabilities. The report also includes projected funding levels for the next 5 fiscal years, or until project completion, for each technology discussed. TSA has advanced aviation security through innovative technology investments and continuous evaluation ofworkforce effectiveness and efficiencies. By developing new technologies and improving its processes, TSA is able to screen passengers and their baggage effectively and efficiently. However, TSA must continue to address issues such as increased passenger volume, and ensure efficient screening oftravelers while maintaining its focus on effective security. TSA will work closely with Congress to appropriately rightsize and resource the organization to address passenger growth, improve checkpoint performance, and mitigate vulnerabilities across the aviation system. TSA's three reprogramming requests in the third and fourth quarter of FY 2016 were designed to match resources to mission demands. These requests enabled TSA to triple the amount of overtime available to officers ofhigh-volume airports; hire an additional 1,368 officers to deploy to high-volume airport security checkpoints; convert 2,784 part time employees to full-time; accelerate the procurement of 50 new canine teams to Passenger Screening Canines; support the procurement and deployment of 146 Advanced Imaging Technology systems to Category III and IV airports; and accelerate the replacement of 1,186 Explosives Trace Detection systems to checkpoints nationwide. In addition, these reprogramming efforts have allowed TSA to improve security effectiveness and reduce vulnerabilities in checkpoint operations. While these actions have improved TSA' s ability to deploy its resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible to screen the record numbers of passengers transiting through the Nation's airports, they also indicate a need for TSA to continue building its mission capability to meet increased passenger demand. 111 TSA will continue to field mission capabilities that enhance the safety and the security of the aviation system. TSA is enhancing existing checkpoint and checked baggage screening technologies, such as Advanced Imaging Technology, Advanced Technology X-Ray, Enhanced Metal Detectors, Explosives Detection Systems, and Explosives Trace Detection to increase detection capabilities and efficiencies. In addition to enhancing existing technologies, TSA also is investing in new technologies, such as the Credential Authentication Technology, to better protect transportation from current and emerging threats. Once deployed, the Credential Authentication Technology will enhance the passenger screening process at the checkpoint by serving as a technical solution that improves the inspection of identification documentation and confirms passengers' Secure Flight status. While enhancing existing technologies and acquiring new technologies, TSA also is committed to identifying appropriate efficiencies, especially in regard to personnel and equipment integration. TSA currently uses an Enhanced Staffing Model process to allocate its security workforce at approximately 440 airports across the country. However, TSA is assessing potential adjustments to the existing model to match resources to the demands ofthe evolving screening environment. Considerations include rightsizing the supervisor-to-subordinate ratio; allowing for realistic, hands-on training at the place of duty versus employing a computer-based delivery model; staffing small airports for which federal screening resources now are committed; ensuring a more comprehensive delivery ofTSA Pre./® screening lanes; and fully funding annual and sick leave liability. TSA is committed to incorporating operational efficiencies with its personnel resources and to utilizing new and existing technologies to more effectively employ risk-based security initiatives. The threat to U.S. commercial aviation is evolving constantly. By employing smarter security practices in developing and deploying its people, processes, and technologies, TSA can deliver more effective security in a more efficient manner. IV Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies Table of Contents I. Legislative Language ............................................................................... .............. 1 II. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2 III. Advancing Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies .............. 3 A. Checkpoint Technologies ................................................................................. 4 B. Existing Checkpoint Technologies and Upgrades ...................................... ..... 5 C. Emerging Checkpoint Technologies .............................................................. 13 D. Baggage Screening Technologies .... ............... .... ........................................... 14 E. Existing Electronic Baggage Screening Technologies .................................. 14 F. New Electronic Baggage Screening Technologies ........................................ 17 G. TSA Teclmology Integration- Passenger and Baggage Screening .............. 18 IV. Cost-Effective Screener Workforce Deployment ..... ........................................... 22 A. Staffing Allocation Process .................................................... ........................ 22 B. Risk-Based Security ........................... ............................................ ................ 24 V. Savings and Reinvestment from Improved Technology Deployment.. ............... 26 VI. Conclusion .................................. ... ........................................ .. .... ...................... .. 27 V I. Legislative Language This report is submitted pursuant to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Department ofHomeland Security (OHS) Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113), and the accompanying Senate Report 114-68. PL 114-113 states: Provided further, That not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary ofHomeland Security shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations ofthe Senate and the House of Representatives a detailed report on- (1) the Department ofHomeland Security efforts and resources being devoted to develop more advanced integrated passenger screening technologies for the most effective security of passengers and baggage at the lowest possible operating and acquisition costs, including projected funding levels for each fiscal year for the next